Two Sentenced to Federal Prison for Involvement in Straw Purchase of Firearms

MCALLEN, Texas – Randy Aguilar, of McAllen, Texas, and Miguel Mejia, of Penitas, Texas, have been sentenced to prison for making false statements in acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees (FFL), commonly referred to as straw purchasing, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Chief United States District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa sentenced Aguilar and Mejia to 46 and 30 months, respectively, at a hearing a short time ago in federal court in McAllen.

Aguilar, 32, and Mejia, 36, each pleaded guilty to one count of their respective multi-count indictments for making false statements to the FFLs on June 3 and May 10, 2011, respectively. At their respective plea hearings, each admitted that between Sept. 4, 2010, and Aug. 7, 2011, they straw purchased a total of 52 firearms. Aguilar purchased 38 firearms while Mejia purchased 14 firearms, the majority of which were AK-47s and other highly trafficked firearms.

Their respective sentences were further enhanced as the court determined that the firearms they were responsible for straw purchasing were being trafficked and used or possess for another felony offense.

Aguilar and Mejia were permitted to remain on bond pending voluntary surrender to a Bureau of Prisons facility on Jan. 11 and 12, 2012, respectively.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Juan Villescas.